Irina Polyakova

Last updated

Irina Polyakova
Personal information
NationalityRussian
Born (1961-03-09) 9 March 1961 (age 62)
Kazan, Soviet Union
Years active1998-2011
Sport
CountryFlag of Russia.svg  Russia
Sport Paralympic Nordic skiing (Paralympic biathlon and Paralympic cross-country skiing)
Disability class LW12
Coached by Farida Safiullina
Medal record
Representing Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
Women's Paralympic cross-country skiing
Winter Paralympics
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg Turin 2006 3 × 2.5 km relay open
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg Salt Lake City 2002 3 × 2.5 km relay open

Irina Polyakova (born 9 March 1961) is a former Russian female Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete. [1] She has competed at the Winter Paralympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and in 2010 representing Russia. [2] She was named as one of the most popular women by the BBC in its special multi format series, the 100 Women in 2015. [3]

Contents

Career

Irina Polyakova took the sport of skiing and biathlon only at the age of 35 which is quite late in her career and got the opportunity to represent Russia at the 1998 Winter Paralympics at the age of 37. [4] She wasn't successful in her maiden Paralympic event as she went medalless before claiming her maiden Paralympic medal, a silver medal in the women's cross-country skiing relay team event at the 2002 Winter Paralympics. [5] Irina also was part of the Russian relay team which claimed gold medal in the women's relay open event in the 2006 Winter Paralympics.

Coaching career

After retiring from international skiing in 2011, she started her coaching career.

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References

  1. "Лыжница Зайнуллина: сильных соперников в Сочи будет очень много". kartadostupnosti.ru. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. "Irina Polyakova". m.paralympic.org. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  3. "Who are the BBC's 100 Women of 2015?". BBC News. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  4. "Ирина ПОЛЯКОВА: Четыре Олимпиады – это не предел!". www.vsesmi.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. "Solleftea 2013 - History". m.paralympic.org. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.